ALL BLACKS BAN SMITH FOR AIRPORT TOILET INCIDENT

Will Evans 06 October 2016 2354 Views

The All Blacks have been rocked by a rare off-field scandal, sending superstar halfback Aaron Smith home from South Africa after it was revealed he was seen entering a disabled toilet with a female after the Test against the Springboks in Christchurch last month.

Team management learned of the incident upon arriving in the Republic for their last Rugby Championship game against the Boks in Durban, and – in conjunction with the ABs’ leadership group – have handed Smith a one-match ban.

Smith reportedly requested to go home after the incident became public.

All Blacks star Aaron Smith suspended after being seen ‘entering a disabled toilet with a female friend’ https://t.co/EJ11I9KHE2

“On the Sunday in Christchurch after the South African test at the Christchurch Airport, Aaron and a female friend were seen by members of the public to enter the disabled toilets. On our arrival to South Africa we were informed of this,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

“I had a conversation with Aaron on Tuesday and he confirmed the story.

“As a result of that the leadership group met and were unanimous in the fact that behaviour wasn’t acceptable and as a consequence a one match suspension would be put in place.

“Clearly Aaron is bitterly disappointed with his behaviour and feels he has let the team down but just as importantly feels he is bitterly disappointed in letting his family and partner down.”

According to eyewitness accounts, Smith went into the disabled toilet at Christchurch Airport on the Sunday afternoon after the Test against South Africa for 5-10 minutes.

Smith’s suspension gives in-from Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara another chance in the No.9 jumper after Smith was rested from last week’s game against Argentina, while Tawera Kerr-Barlow will again fill the bench role this weekend.

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Will Evans

CBS’s Editor-in-Chief and lead rugby league, union and cricket writer, Will is a Christchurch-based freelancer, also writing for Big League and Rugby League Review magazines, and The New Daily website. Will has written four rugby league books.

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